my personal top 20 European kitchen brands

After many requests and lots of diliberations I’ve decided to post my own top 20 European brands. Top 20 European kitchen companies, because I simply felt that there are too many great European kitchen brands to limit the list to just top 10.

I have chosen not to take into consideration COMPANY SIZE, as there is no real direct benefit to the buyer and I’ve already listed the 10 largest European brands.

I also did not factor VALUE because I feel that value is very individual – what one consumer sees as a great value, another may view as cheap. Webster’s definition of Value is – “a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged”. Once a kitchen brand has top design, innovation, quality and service, the price will always be higher. Surprizingly, there are a few kitchen brands on this list that have a pretty good value, as well as ranking high on all the other categories.

In the Top 20 European Kitchen 11 Italian kitchen brands, 7 German kitchen companies, one English and one French are in the above list.

So, without further a due and in alphabetical order here are my Top 20 European kitchen Brands:

Honorable mentions: there were a few companies that did not make it to my Top 20 European Kitchen Brands, but deserve a mention. Also in the advise of one of the readers of this blog, i’ve decided to update this post and add a few more (they deserve it!). We’ll call this section the “hors catégorie” (thanks Pierangelo):

Clive Christian – ranked high on DESIGN and if marketing was a category, will most definitely be included in the Top 20 list.

Marchi – ranked very high on DESIGN and INNOVATION.

Minotti – one of the best in creating the very unique, minimalist and clean look, that goes beyond a kitchen design. Not for everyone and is available only in selected few locations worldwide but Minotti is at the top of the DESIGN category.

LaCornue – though they are really more of an appliance company (ranges, cook tops, etc.) , they do offer cabinets and other elements that allow them to complete a kitchen. Very unique DESIGN, perhaps a trend setter in the high end appliance arena, with HIGH QUALITY products.

Hi kitchen guy
I’m shopping around for new traditional solid wood kitchen I like to know how do you rate the Italian brand Aran and Scavolini verses American brand Starmark and Decora. How does the Italian compare to the American
Greatly appreciate a reply,
Anna Maria

THANKS KITCHENGUY. WHEN IT COMES TO VALUE 4 MONEY, OF THE 5 BRANDS THAT I MENTIONED ARE THEY ARE ALL THE SAME OR DOES ONE STAND OUT? IS THE CARCASS QUALITY OF THE SAME 5 BRANDS THE SAME OR DOES ONE STAND OUT?

Hi kiTchenguy…I’ve been shuttling between nobilia and Schuller showrooms and now I’m in a fix which one to go for. For almost the same price I’m offered a group 6 quality from shuller and a group 3 from nobilia( shuller being $500/- more expensive)….your expert advice on the over all workmanship of both shuller and nobilia and also the cabinet quality and other fittings is highly appreciated.

We’re buying a kitchen for our new home. We’ve seen Arrex, Varenna, SCIC, Modulnova, Record and Miton. We’re choosing same materials but would like to base our decision on quality over price. Can you pls rate them in terms of their material quality. Thanks, great website.

We have to make a decision on our new kitchen. We are stuck between Schuller being cheapest then Next 125 and Leicht (similar price) all with Meile appliances. Which one would you recomend quality and brand.
Very helpful blog.

Hi Kitchenguy. First, thank you so much for your extremely informative blog. I’m disappointed to learn that Arclinea is declining as I was tentatively going with them. Can you tell me in what way they are declining? I want the handleless cabinets with the “channel” and find that Arclinea’s version of that style is the only one that is comfortable for my hand and I’ve gone to every high end European showroom in my city: Bulthaup, Boffi, Pedini, Poggenpohl, Eggersman, Siematic, Snaidero, Allmilmo and Verenna !!!!!! So, in what respect are they declining? Thank you

Hi Kitchenguy. First, I want to thank you for your extremely informative blog. I am disappointed to learn that Arclinea is declining as I was tentatively going with them. In what is it they declining? I want the handleless cabinets with the “channel” and I find that Arclinea’s version of that style is the most comfortable for my hand and I’ve been to every high end European showroom in my city, ten in all, half of your list !! So, In what way is Arclinea declining….is it the quality? service? Thank you

Hi kitchenguy,
I am looking for a new kitchen and I got a quote from Nobilia for cheaper option about 28K and more expensive 35K. I like their design but after reading things on your blog it seems a bit expensive.
I also got a quote from a carpenter about 25k.

I am located in Miami and I don’t know which brand to look for to compare. The kitchen is fairly big but if I am about to pay around 30K for my new kitchen I want to be the best that I can find for that price. Any advise which good brand I should check. Thank you

Now that Alno AG have filed for insolvency, where do you think the company is going with it’s various brands; Alno, Wellman, Pino, Piatti and Alnoinox. Is it just matter of restructuring and will re position itself as a major player in the kitchen business or expected to close down.

Adil – I’m afraid that the second largest kitchen company in Germany (and the world) will soon disappear… The owe 28,000,000. Euro and are not able pay… There is very little value in the brands (other than perhaps the Alno name) and the ticket price, for someone to be interested is way too high…
kitchenguy

Hi Kitchenguy, first of all, thanks for the invaluable insights. We’re in the NY area and have narrowed down our selection to Bulthaup, Valcucine, Boffi, Dada, Eggersmann, and Minimal. What do you think are the pros/cons on each in terms of quality and design flexibility , especially regarding Eggersmann and Minimal (can’t seem to find much info on them)? And the genera cost, most to least? Thanks in advance for your time!

We’re debating between Leicht and Snaidero for our kitchen cabinetry. Since you don’t have Leicht on your top 20 list, I’m going to guess you’d recommend Snaidero. If it’s not too much bother, what are the advantages of Snaidero over Leicht … or, if it’s easier, what do you view are Leicht’s disadvantages?

Kitchenguy,
I’m looking into three different brands, Leicht, Arrital and Porcelanosa, I liked the first the best, but the price was a little out of my reach. The quotes came back in the order listed. What is your recommendation for best value? Do you have any concerns about the quality of the other two brands.
Thanks